A Bend in the River of Life (21 page)

It did not take long for Keka and Rana to make Rajani comfortable and happy because she was impressionable to happiness with very little. Every little thing created an impact on her. To be
able to say prayers looking at the gentle sea in the morning sunlight; to observe the beautiful sunset from the cozy corner of the balcony while conversing with Keka; to take a stroll at the Nariman Point and Marine Drive at a moment's notice; to sit on the parapet of the sea wall on Marine Drive and watch the giant waves crashing into the boulders protecting the sea wall were some of the daily routine and pastime that gave her immense pleasure.

Keka's mother Mita had created a good impression on Rajani in Calcutta. Now she started liking her aunt Dipa also for her helpful gestures. Thus between Keka and Dipa, they kept Rajani comfortably occupied during the weekdays, driving her to Malabar Hills, the Shiva temple at Worli-by-the-sea or the Gateway at Colaba. On weekends and holidays Keka and Rana would take her to Juhu Beach or Borivly National Park or wherever else she wanted to go. On her own reckoning, she got the treat of her life. Soon her seventy-ninth birthday arrived. Keka observed the day with fanfare with balloons and buntings and bells and whistles. Rajani felt very shy, almost apologetic, for no one observed her birthday like that ever before.

In a flash six months passed by. Suddenly Rajani felt homesick. She wanted to return home to Calcutta. Rana knew her mind was also crying for her children and other grandchildren. So they arranged to take her back to Calcutta. The evening before her departure, sitting with Keka and Rana on the balcony and staring at the setting sun she said, “These were the best six months of my life. Never before I enjoyed life so much. May God bless you two.”

Keka looked at Rana. She had no doubt that he would be highly emotional. His eyes glittered because they became moist. That was the highest accolade that he could ever receive in his life. No matter what he would become in future; no matter where he would end up; nothing would surpass that honor ever. That would remain inscribed in his heart studded with million stars.

The nature of love is this. It always places the object of love on the highest pedestal and showers heaps of commendations totally
disproportionate to what he or she actually deserves.

Then looking at Keka Rajani said, “You are the type of young woman that I always wished and prayed to be Rana's wife. Now I may die in peace. Be happy and cheerful always. May God be so kind on you.”

Keka did not expect that praise either. She very humbly said, “Grandma, everyone comes across best to you because you are the very best yourself.”

There was nothing else to say. Goodness only begets goodness.

The River of Life was created on the premise that no human beings would ever be indispensable, because indispensability was one of the innumerable attributes of the Creator of the River of Life only. Nevertheless, there are some who accomplish their designated role in life with so much authority, care, confidence, panache and verve that they carve out a huge chunk of territory in the life of an individual, or a family or a society or a country. When they pass they leave an enormous void. By virtue of that distinguished position that they create for themselves, the mere thought of their absence from the scene leads to psychological vacuum in the minds of the individual or people concerned. Rajani's place in Rana's life unequivocally met that distinction. He knew that because of her advanced age it was reasonable to assume that she would not come back to embellish their home in Bombay again. He did not have any idea how soon or if at all he would be assigned back to Calcutta. Neither did he know how long Rajani would cling on to her earthly life. The only thing he could imagine was that Rajani's absence would leave a mammoth emptiness in him.

T
ime goes on and the life trudges along. And to the tune of the dance of time, set in motion at the beginning of creation, the River of Life flows on from the valley of today through the meadows of tomorrow on its endless journey to Eternity. Time is of essence in everything that happens in the River of Life. Because God mandates that every object in His creation performs to the time line prescribed for each. For those are the time spans reserved for God's eternal audition with them. The earth revolves round the sun in a specific number of days. Man has a span of life, so does every creature on earth. Days break in with the birds chirping and capering by the woods in frolic. Days depart with birds flying in artful formations to return to their nests for another night of deserving rest. Months keep following the symphony of succession to keep track of the months yet remaining to round off the year. Seasons, which are but months clustered together, are heralded in an orderly fashion with their baskets of offerings of seasonal fruits and flowers. These are the planned time frames set at the beginning of creation. But then, there are plans within the plans, there are lifetimes within the lifetimes. These finer plans are not in the knowledge of men. Only God is privy to His finer plans. For there are months and seasons that do not strictly follow the characteristics associated with them. The seasonal fruits may be soured due to the vagaries of nature. Flowers may drop off their stalks even before blooming. There are men who do not return to their nightly rest for they have special auditions set with the Creator.

Keka and Rana just observed their third wedding anniversary. With age the perspective of life changes. With maturity hopes and dreams seek and find a different meaning to life. Keka became anxious to be a mother. However, one does not always get what one wants immediately. She could not conceive. Treatment began forthwith. In about three month's time with a small surgical procedure on her she finally conceived. Keka and Rana became jubilant, so did all the friends and family. They celebrated the announcement. Slowly but surely, the scheduled date crept in. However, there was hiccup again. It seemed the date of conception was not monitored correctly. After waiting for ten days, her gynecologist decided to perform Caesarian Section. The decision appeared to be correct. Without much difficulty a baby boy was born. Both the mother and the son were declared to be in good health. The doctor, however, cautioned Keka against further pregnancy in the near future.

The baby was named Saurav, meaning, gentle breeze laden with fragrance. In deeper sense, however, Saurav is he who brings fresh breath of air or a refreshing change. The mother and the son returned home from the nursing home. A nanny was appointed to help Keka take care of Saurav. Nevertheless, in a week's time it was apparent that managing both the baby and the household was beyond Keka, even with the help of the nanny. Willy-nilly Rana decided to send Keka and Saurav to Calcutta to the care of her mother Mita. It was not an easy decision. But their well-being and comfort was paramount to him.

Thus on a bright and cool Sunday morning, Rana drove Keka and Saurav to the airport. From the night before his heart was heavy with the thought that he would be missing his beloved Keka and fondest little Saurav for an indefinite period. In any case, everything seemed to be alright at the airport. The flight was on time. Keka was introduced by the ground staff of the airlines to the Flight Attendants in case she needed help on board to take care of Saurav. Unfortunately, however, Rana forgot to arrange for the airport
ground transportation for Keka and Saurav from the terminal building to the aircraft. In the early seventies of the twentieth century, there were no ramps from the gate to the aircraft. The passengers had to walk a short distance on the tarmac to board the planes. When he realized his omission and was bent upon talking to the airlines' staff to arrange for a vehicle for them, Keka dissuaded him to do so, assuring him that she would have no problem carrying Saurav that short a distance. Rana relented reluctantly, but remained uneasy inside. When flight departure was announced, he kissed a fond good-bye to Keka and Saurav and went up to the public gallery to observe the safe take-off of the flight. Watching from the gallery above it seemed to him that Keka was struggling to carry Saurav. He thought her shoulder was drooping a little to the right. He felt excruciating guilt for not arranging the transportation previously to drive them to the aircraft. Tears welled up his eyes for being irresponsible, causing pain to Keka. The plane took off safely. Rana rushed back home and cried like a child behind the closed doors for hurting Keka through his own negligence. Allowing the flight time to Calcutta and the driving time home on arrival there, he called her at her parents' house to confirm their safe arrival. Keka said she did not really have any problem carrying Saurav to the plane or on board. She added that the Flight Attendants were very helpful.

The nature of love is this. It burns itself in endless anguish and self-deprecation without any rhyme or reason, but merely on the abject apprehension of having inflicted avoidable pain on the object of love.

Plenty of good news was awaiting Rana. Couple of weeks after Keka's departure from Bombay the company announced his promotion as the Operations Manager of their Calcutta branches. The current Operations Manager who was instrumental in appointing Rana to the bank would move out of India on promotion. The transfer would be effective in two week's time. He called Keka. She was hardly expecting any news of that significance to the family. She
did not believe it first. Only when Rana convinced her that he was not joking with her, she became ecstatic. Keka's mother Mita was simply thrilled.

Rana called his grandma Rajani to give her the news. She could not be happier. However, she was little apprehensive of their moving into the family home, because the cat and mouse relationship between his parents Amit and Monika was still continuing and Rajani felt that it would not augur well for Keka. She heaved a sigh of relief when she was told that he would be provided with a fully furnished company house. When Rana invited her to stay with him and Keka as long as he would remain posted in Calcutta, she responded with unabashed joy.

The transfer took place as scheduled. They moved into the company house. The most important thing for Rana was that Keka liked the house with a big lawn and garden very much. There was a beautiful children's park in the lawn with a swing and a slide. It was ideal for Saurav because even in those early days of his life he was playful. He showed an instant liking for the swing in the park. The nanny who was appointed by them to take care of Saurav had, in fact, been the nanny for Keka in her infancy and childhood. She was experienced, trustworthy and caring with a great sense of responsibility. Her presence was comforting to Keka and her mother.

Usually, the winter months in Calcutta were rain-free and sundrenched. Saurav had plenty of time from the morning till evening to be in the sun, playing with the nanny and his mother. So with love and care, sun and swing, Saurav was growing up rapidly. In six months he started crawling; at eight attempted to stand up and at ten began walking with some support. Keka was overwhelmed when for the first time he uttered the word, “Ma.” She called everyone known to her in the town and even her friend Iris and aunt Dipa in Bombay to keep them apprised of her son's latest exploits. Soon they celebrated Saurav's first birthday. He enjoyed being the center of attention. The playfulness which appeared to be an important trait
of his character became even more striking in the eyes of the kith and kin. He appeared not to be tiring at all while in his playing state of mind and not distinguishing between a family member and a stranger as a playmate. For Keka, life became full to its brim.

In the River of Life man is not often in charge of his own destiny. Life does not always follow the course man envisions for himself. When Rajani was returning to Calcutta from her sojourn in Bombay, Rana thought that she would never again embellish their home. Nevertheless, things changed dramatically with his transfer back to Calcutta. Now Rajani found a second home in their house. She would often come and stay with them one week at a time. Now her great-grandson Saurav became her special attraction. She would play with him untiringly. At Saurav's plea she would sing the same song a thousand times with visible pleasure. Rana told her to live with them as long as he would remain in Calcutta. She was undoubtedly happy for the invitation. But even at that age she had other obligations to fulfill. To her, duty was paramount and work was God.

Keka's mother Mita also found some diversions amidst her daily drudgery at home. Their house was not very far from Rana's. So she would find some time to come and see her grandson everyday and play with him for hours together. Ramanath and Sudhir would visit with them on the weekends. Occasionally, Keka and Rana also would take Saurav to see his parents so that they could shower their affection on their grandson and he could also know them. Given all that was happening around them, Keka and Rana considered themselves blessed.

Yet the River of Life is often replete with seemingly incomprehensible contradictions. While the world is in bliss, the specter of turmoil often shows its head in the distant horizon. Calm often pervades the landscape preceding the storm. Moths turn delirious in flying inexorably toward the flame of fire, knowing the inevitable consequences. In a contented state of mind Keka expressed her desire to have another baby. Rana shuddered in consternation. He reminded
Keka of her doctor's counsel in Bombay to avoid further pregnancy soon. He quietly sought the help of her mother to prevail upon her to refrain from seeking another pregnancy on the heels of the recent one against her doctor's advice. Mita tried to dissuade her daughter from that path for a few more years. However, all words of caution against further pregnancy paled into insignificance against her unswerving appeal for motherhood one more time. Keka's wish prevailed. She conceived again and became exceedingly happy. Rana kept encouraging her on the surface, but in the core of his heart he was fearful and prayerful. One saving grace was that she was under medical care of her family gynecologist who had attended her mother Mita when Keka was born. So her doctor in Calcutta knew her health and wellness from her infancy.